Binary syrup system bag and valve

ABSTRACT

A binary syrup system bag and valve for beverage dispensing including a pair of separate syrup bags holding two different syrup components, a single spout connected to both bags and a bag valve connected to the spout for opening or closing liquid communication to the bags. The spout and valve have two separate liquid flow channels therethrough, one for each bag. A quick-disconnect coupling is connected to the valve for opening the valve and allowing the syrup to be fed to a beverage dispenser. The connection of the valve parts and the connection between the valve and the spout are snap-fit, liquid-tight interference fits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to beverage dispensing systems and in particularto a binary syrup system in which the syrup is provided in two separatecontainers holding two different syrup components rather than beingprovided in one single container. This allows certain component(s) to beseparated from certain other component(s), until just prior todispensing, when the two components are combined to form the completesyrup.

A large number of beverage dispensing systems are known for use withboth sugar syrups and diet syrups, and for use with various types ofsyrup containers such as pressurized tanks (figals) and non-pressurizedplastic bags (bag-in-box) used in conjunction with syrup pumps. Theknown bag-in-box bags include a spout and a valve connected to the spoutfor opening or closing liquid communication with the syrup in the bag.At the retail outlet a quick-disconnect coupling is attached to the bagvalve to open it and to allow syrup to be fed to a beverage dispenser bymeans of a syrup pump connected between the bag and the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A binary syrup system for beverage dispensing including a pair offlexible, collapsible bags .Iadd.is .Iaddend.positioned inside of asingle bag-in-box box. A single spout is connected to both bags and avalve is connected to the spout. The spout and the valve each have twoseparate liquid flow channels therethrough, one for each bag. The flowchannels through the valve are open at one end thereof to a respectivebag and are closed at the other end by a poppet valve. The valveincludes means for connecting it to a syrup hose coupler, and attachmentof the coupler causes the poppet valve to open. A pair of dip strips ispreferably connected to the spout, with one in each bag.

The connections between the two parts of the valve and between the valveand the spout are snap-in interference fits to provide easy liquid-tightconnections that can be made by automatic machinery. When the binarysyrup bag and valve are shipped to the retail outlet, a quick-disconnectcoupling that is permanently installed in the retail outlet is attachedto the valve to move the valve to its open position to allow each of thetwo syrup components to be dispensed from the two bags and fed to thebeverage dispenser.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a binary (or dual)syrup bag and valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detaileddescription below when read in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the overall beverage dispensing systemin which the binary bag and valve of this invention is used;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the binary bag and spout of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view through the spout, bag valve andquick-disconnect coupling of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through FIG. 3 taken along line 4--4thereof;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through FIG. 3 taken along line 5--5thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a spout, bag valve, andcoupling according to an alternative embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 show the preferredembodiment of the present invention of a binary syrup system 10including a pair of bag-in-box syrup bags 12 and 14 each holding adifferent component of the syrup, a metering device 16 for ensuring theproper ratio of the two components being fed to a dispenser, a syruppump 18 and a beverage dispenser 20. The metering device includes twoinlet ports, one for each of the syrup components, and a single outletport for the complete syrup formed when the two components are combinedin the correct ratio, for example, 1:1. The two bags 12 and 14 arecontained in a single box 22. A well known bag-in-box system for syrupnow uses one single five gallon bag in a box and the present inventionpreferably uses two two and one-half gallon bags 12 and 14 in a singlebox 22.

FIG. 2 shows the two bags 12 and 14 and a spout 24 connected to bothbags 12 and 14 with a dip strip 26 connected to the spout and containedin bag 12 and a dip strip 28 connected to the spout and contained in bag14. FIG. 3 also shows the spout 24 and the manner of connecting thespout to the two bags 12 and 14. Two bags are preferably formed from onepair of bag walls, one of the walls having a single openingtherethrough. The spout flange 30 is preferably heat sealed to said onewall and a liquid-tight seam 32 is used to form a single larger bag intothe two separate bags 12 and 14. The seam is interrupted at the spoutwhere the other wall is heat sealed to a bottom edge of a wall 34 whichextends diametrically across the bottom opening in the spout 24. The twodip strips 26 and 28 are connected to a single ring 36 which snaps intoplace in the bottom opening of the spout 24. Other arrangements can beused for connecting dip strips to the spout and other shapes and sizedof dip strips can be used. Alternatively, the present invention can beused without any dip strips.

The valve 40 of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The valve 40 provides for two separateliquid channels in one valve structure. One end of each channel is opento one of the bags. The other end of each channel is closed by a poppetvalve which is activated (opened) when a coupler is attached to the openside of the valve.

The valve includes the following components. A valve body 42 whichincorporates the seats for the two poppet valves 52 and 56. The open endof the valve body has been designed to receive the coupler 80 which hastwo cylinders 66 and 68 which fit in the two sockets 67 and 69containing the poppet activating pins 71 and 73. External thread 86 isprovided to receive a screw cap to protect the valve during storage andshipping. The other end of the valve body has been designed to receivethe spring retainer/connector 44 to the spout. The outside of thecylindrical section of the valve body has been designed to provide twoclick stops inside the spout. The first one for temporary insertion ofthe valve body in the bag spout. This arrangement allows for use of thevalve as a temporary "dust cap" until each side of the dual bag is readyto be filled. The second click stop is for permanent installation of thevalve after filling.

The valve 40 also includes the two poppet valves 52 and 56 with integralactivating pins 71 and 73. A pair of springs 50 and 54 bias the poppetsagainst the valve seats.

The spring retainer/connector 44 to the spout contains the springs 50and 54 providing sealing pressure for each of the two poppets. Theconnector 44 is held in place by a groove 92 in the valve body. Each ofthe two flow channels in the connector 44 containing a spring is lockedinto the valve body with a snap in interference fit seal. The samesealing arrangement is used to seal the other end of each channel into acorresponding socket 94 and 96 in the spout 24.

The valve body, the connector, the two springs and two poppet valves,when assembled together are the valve.

The spout is permanently sealed to the bags. Each bag compartment isconnected to one of the two channels in the valve.

FIG. 3 shows the valve 40 in its closed position in solid lines and inopen position in dotted or phantom lines. FIG. 3 also shows the coupler80 including a pair of stainless steel barb connectors 81 and 82connected to hoses 83 and 84 (the hoses are not transparent but areshown as such for clarity). The valve 40 includes external screw threads86 that mate with internal screw threads 87 in the coupler 80. Thequick-disconnect coupler 80 is simply screwed on to the valve 40 to openthe valve allowing syrup to be pumped out of the bags 12 and 14. Thecoupler 80 includes the connectors 81 and 82, preferably of stainlesssteel molded to a central element 98, the nut 99 that can rotaterelative to the element 98, and the two cylinders 66 and 68 with theirspring loaded caps 72 and 76 that contact and move the poppet activatingpins 71 and 73. The two cylinders are attached or made integrally withthe element 98. The caps 72 and 76 have flow passages therethrough. Asthe coupler 80 moves downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 3) the springs 70 and74 eventually are compressed to an extent that they exert a greaterforce on the poppet valves than is exerted by the springs 50 and 54causing the poppet valves 52 and 56 to open (to move downwardly awayfrom their valve seats as viewed in FIG. 3). The valve 40 is now open,so that when the pump 18 is operated, syrup will be fed out of the bags12 and 14 to the dispenser.

The spring retainer/connector 44 is attached to the body 42 by asnap-in, liquid-light interference fit at 108 and also by the groove 92.The lower end (as viewed in FIG. 3) of the two cylinders 47 and 49snap-fit in a liquid-tight interference fit to the upper end of the twocylinders 102 and 104 that extend up from a lower wall 106 of the spout.The body 42 is snap-fit to the spout at 41 with an interference althougha liquid-tight fit is not necessary at 41.

The connector 44 has two flow channels 46 and 48 therethrough incylinder 47 and 49 which retain the springs 50 and 54. The two cylinders66 and 68 in the coupler 80 have two flow channels 62 and 64respectively and retain the springs 70 and 74 respectively.

The snap-fit feature of the valve body and connector and of the valveinto the spout allow for ease of assembly and also of automatedassembly, if desired.

When it is desired to fill the bags, the valve is removed from thespout, the bags filled, and then the spout is reinserted .[.and.]..Iadd.at .Iaddend.this time for a permanent attachment. The varioussnap-fits are made possible because of the use of circular cross-sectionpassages and circular retaining flanges.

To properly orient the coupler 80 to the valve 40 so that the liquidflow channels will be in proper alignment and so that the cylinders 66and 68 will be properly inserted into the sockets 67 and 69, a keyway isprovided. A rib 110 in the valve body is received in a slot 112 in theplate 114 connected to the cylinders 66 and 68. FIG. 5 shows guide ribs116 for the pins 71 and 73. It is understood that chamfered or taperededges are provided at all snap-fit area.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a valve and coupler accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been describedabove in detail, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Although the two bags are shown as beingconnected, this is not essential; they can be separated with the onlyconnection being the spout.

What is claimed is:
 1. A binary bag for use as a container for two syrupcomponents to be dispensed through a beverage dispenser comprising:(a) afirst and a second bag wall including a liquid-tight seam down themiddle of said first and second bag walls thereby defining two chambers;(b) a spout opening in said first bag walls directly in line with saidseam, said seam being interrupted at said spout opening; (c) a singlespout, having a pair of separate liquid flow channels therethrough,disposed on said spout opening, with one of said flow channels in liquidcommunication with one of said chambers and the other flow channel inliquid communication with the other of said chamber, said spout having adiametric member diametrically disposed thereon; (d) means for sealing.Iadd.the first .Iaddend.and said second bag .[.wall.]. .Iadd.walls.Iaddend.on said diametric member of said spout; and (e) means forselectively withdrawing the two syrup components simultaneously fromsaid chambers.
 2. The bag as recited in claim 1 wherein said means forselectively withdrawing the two syrup components simultaneouslycomprises:a valve connected to said spout, said valve having a pair ofseparate liquid flow conduits therethrough in liquid communication witha respective one of said liquid flow channels; and means for moving saidvalve from closed to open position when said spout is coupled to thebeverage dispenser.
 3. The bag as recited in claim 2 wherein said valveis connected to said spout by snapping thereinto with a liquid-tightinterference fit.
 4. The bag as recited in claim 2 wherein said valvefurther comprises:a pair of poppet valves each disposed in one of saidliquid flow conduits; means for attaching a quick-disconnect coupling tosaid valve; and wherein said means for moving said valve from closed toopen position comprises: means coupled to said poppet valves for biasingsaid poppet valves in an open position when the quick disconnectcoupling is attached to the means for attaching whereby the syrupcomponents can be simultaneously withdrawn from each of said chambers.5. The bag as recited in claim 1 including a single dip strip unitconnected to said spout and including a pair of separate dip strips, onepositioned in the interior of each of said chambers.
 6. A binary syrupsystem for dispensing beverage prepared from two different syrupcomponents comprising:(a) a first and a second bag wall including aliquid-tight seam down the middle of said first and second bag wallsthereby defining two chambers; (b) a single spout connected partly tosaid first bag wall and partly to the second bag wall; (c) a bag valveconnected to said spout and being movable between open and closedpositions; and (d) said spout and valve each having a pair of separateliquid flow channels therethrough, one of said flow channels being inliquid flow communication with one of said chambers and the other ofsaid flow channels being in liquid flow communication with the other ofsaid chambers.Iadd., said valve being connected to said spout bysnapping thereinto with an interference fit therebetween and whereinsaid flow channels in said spout are sealed to those in said valve bysaid interference fit therebetween.Iaddend..
 7. The apparatus as recitedin claim 6 wherein said spout is located on said seam. .[.8. Theapparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said flow channels all havecircular cross-sections and wherein said valve connects to said spout bysnapping thereinto with an interference fit therebetween and whereinsaid flow channels in said spout are sealed to those in said valve bysaid interference fit therebetween..].
 9. The apparatus as recited inclaim 6 wherein said bag valve comprises:(a) a valve body; (b) a springretainer connector below said body; (c) a pair of separate liquid flowchannels through said body and said connector; (d) said connector beingconnected to said body by a snap fit with a liquid-fit interference fittherebetween; (e) a poppet valve in each of said channels between saidbody and said connector, a spring in each of said channels in saidconnector for biasing said poppet valve closed against a valve seat insaid body, and a poppet activating pin attached to each poppet valve andextending upwardly through said channel in said body, said poppet valvebeing in a normally closed position when no coupler is attached to saidvalve; and (f) said body including means for a hose coupler to saidvalve.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said valveincludes external screw threads for connecting to a quick-disconnecthose coupling.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 including a hosecoupling connecting to said valve, said hose coupling including meansfor moving said valve from its closed to its open position.
 12. A methodfor dispensing two different syrup components from two separatecontainers therefor, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a first and asecond bag wall including a liquid-tight seam down the middle of saidfirst and second bag walls thereby defining two chambers in a singlebag-in-box box; (b) providing a single spout .Iadd.on the seam down themiddle of said first and second bag walls, the spout .Iaddend.having apair of separate liquid flow channels therethrough, each connected toone of said chambers, with one of said flow channels in liquidcommunication with one of said chambers and the other flow channel inliquid communication with the other of said chambers; (c) connecting tosaid spout a valve having a pair of separate liquid flow conduitstherethrough in liquid communication with a respective one of .[.said.]..Iadd.the .Iaddend.spout flow channels.Iadd.; (d) attaching aquick-disconnect coupling to said valve; and (e) moving said valve froma position in which the conduits therein are closed to a position inwhich the flow conduits are open in response to the step of attachingthe quick-disconnect coupling.Iaddend..
 13. The method as recited inclaim 12 including attaching a single dip strip unit to said spout witha pair of separate dip strips, one positioned in the interior of each ofsaid chambers.
 14. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein saidconnecting step comprising snapping said valve into said spout with aliquid-tight interference fit between the members defining saidrespective flow channels and the respective flow conduits. .[.15. Themethod as recited in claim 14 including attaching a quick-disconnectcoupling to said valve, said attaching step including moving said valvefrom a liquid channel closed to a liquid channel open position..].